He had no
fixed notions upon either morals, religion, or politics; and when we
say so, we may add, that he was equally without motive--that is, without
_adequate_ motive, in almost everything he did.
The canvass was now going on with great zeal on the part of Chevydale
and Vanston. Sometimes Hycy was disposed to support the one and
sometimes the other, but as to feeling a firm attachment to the cause or
principles of either, it was not in his nature.
Indeed, the approach of a general election was at all times calculated
to fill the heart of a thinking man with a strong sense of shame for his
kind, and of sorrow for the unreasoning and brutal tendency to slavery
and degradation which it exhibits. Upon this occasion the canvass, in,
consequence of the desperate struggle that must ensue, owing to the
equality of the opposing forces, was a remarkably early one. Party
feeling and religious animosity, as is usual, ran very high, each having
been made the mere stalking-horse or catchword of the rival candidates,
who cared nothing, or at least very little, about the masses on either
side, provided always that they could turn them to some advantage.
It was one morning after the canvass had been going forward with great
activity on both sides for about a week, that Hycy, who now felt himself
rather peculiarly placed, rode down to Clinton's for the purpose of
formally paying his addresses to the gauger's interesting niece, and,
if possible, ascertaining his fate from her own lips.
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